DEAR BRETHREN: While traveling through this vale of affliction we need encouragement, and we can be helps to each other by relating our hopes and fears, our joys and sorrows, and administering once in a while a word of consolation to the remnant.
I rejoice to know that notwithstanding our trials and sorrows, God will give us grace to overcome, and finally crown us with glory, honor, and immortality in the kingdom of God. I have fightings without and trials within; yet I am determined (God being my helper) to see the inside of the city.
We all have trials and temptations. My prayer is not that God may keep temptations from crossing my path, but that I may be able to overcome them all. I am willing to suffer, knowing that "If we suffer we shall also reign with him;" "but if we deny him he also will deny us." When we realize that "tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed," we are ready to say, "let patience have her perfect work," and to count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations. We can take joyfully the spoiling of our goods, as we realize that we are appointed to these things, and believe that these light afflictions which are but for a moment, shall work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Notwithstanding our deprivations and trials are severe, we reckon that our sufferings here are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. And though we are sometimes in heaviness through manifold temptations, yet we rejoice, knowing that the trial of our faith being much more precious than gold that perisheth, might be found unto praise, and honor, and glory at the appearing of Jesus.
We do not think our fiery trials strange, as though some strange thing had happened unto us; but we rejoice, inasmuch as we are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed, we may be glad also with exceeding joy. "If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. On their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified." Then let us rejoice that we are worthy to bear reproach, and suffer shame for the sake of Jesus. I often fear that after I have warned others, I myself shall become a cast away. Yet I shall ever bless God that there are great and eternal blessings for those who overcome; that God is not a respecter of persons, but will impart grace to those who walk worthy of it. In all of our temptations and trials here, let us look to that One who has said "My grace is sufficient for you." Let us keep our eyes upon the ark of God's covenant, and pray for him to send the angels which excel in strength, to our rescue.